SWITZERLAND—Swiss retail giant Migros has launched CoffeeB—a new, capsule-less Coffee Ball that could potentially stir up the single-serve coffee market. The Coffee Ball is part of a first-of-its-kind, zero-waste system that brews coffee without the need for plastic capsules. Plastic coffee pods produce 100,000 tons of waste globally per year; and while some of the pods in the marketplace are recyclable or biodegradable, the majority still end up in landfill. “The next generation of capsule coffee is here, and it comes without a capsule,” says CoffeeB’s Dr. Caroline Siefarth, who co-developed the system. “After half a decade of research, we’ve created CoffeeB—which will revolutionize the way the world drinks single-serve coffee.” All the Taste,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition is celebrating the How2Recycle upgrade of polypropylene (PP) rigid containers to “Widely Recycled” in the U.S. This major milestone comes as the Coalition marks its two-year anniversary. Launched in July 2020, the Coalition brings together stakeholders across the PP value chain—from resin suppliers and manufacturers to consumer-packaged goods, and recycling processors—to improve PP recovery and recycling in the U.S. and to further develop end markets for recycling PP. In the two years since the launch of the Coalition, its catalytic grants have proven highly successful at rapidly impacting the recycling system. The Coalition has...

NATIONAL REPORT—Biodigesters that reduce food waste to grey water have been effectively used by hotels for many years now and for good reason. According to Power Knot, a supplier of 10 different models of biodigesters, the machines greatly reduce the cost to dispose of waste food, reduce the size, quantity, and smells of trash bins, eliminate flies and rodents that may be attracted to garbage bins containing waste food, save time and injuries of employees carrying trash outdoors, and allow one to weigh and dispose of food waste in one machine. According to Orca, a supplier of four different...

NATIONAL REPORT—Starting your own restaurant business is an exciting decision that can lead to a prosperous future. It is far from easy, however, and the better prepared you are before throwing yourself into it, the more likely you will be to find ongoing success. There are so many different aspects to starting a restaurant that are easy to forget, so it is essential that you make sure you have as much knowledge and, if possible, experience before you get started. This is particularly relevant if you intend to focus on sustainability within your business, as the additional consideration can...

NEW CASTLE, PA.—Berner International, New Castle, Pa., North America’s leading air curtain manufacturer and innovator, was recognized for its Architectural Contour air curtain product design for hotel applications in the 2022 Dealer Design Awards (DDA) Program, sponsored by trade publication, The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News (ACHR News) magazine. The Contour Series, the newest member of Berner International’s growing Architectural Collection, won the silver award July 16 for excellence in design in “HVAC Light Commercial Equipment,” one of the DDA’s 13 categories with more than 130 entries. The DDA’s 30-judge panel of contractors/engineers were impressed with the air curtain’s geometric...

COSTA RICA—Managed by Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton, a premier eco-resort is now open. Located beside two of Costa Rica’s most prized natural jewels—Corcovado National Park and the Pacific Ocean’s Golfo Dulce—Botánika Osa Peninsula is set across 21 acres of lush flora and fauna. The resort provides travelers an unspoiled rainforest escape with well-appointed residence accommodations, upscale dining outlets, a 100-seat event space, along with rainforest-inspired experiences at the resort’s Clubhouse, neighboring Crocodile Bay Marina and the new Botánika Science and Nature Center. Activity guides curate unforgettable recreation experiences and excursions throughout the Osa Peninsula. Guests...

COLUMBUS, OHIO—arbOUR announces the debut of its eco-effective cleaning and laundry collection. The launch introduces consumers to arbOUR’s commercial-grade cleaning products, which are formulated with plant-based, non-toxic ingredients strong enough to cleanse and disinfect, and safe for people, pets, and the planet. Already used by pro-sports teams, hospitals, restaurants, schools, and other corporate, civic, and commercial institutions, the affordably priced collection is now available directly to consumers. arbOUR’s launch products include eight essential cleaning and laundry solutions that elevate “clean” hygiene for everyone and every environment. “No one should have to choose between strong cleaning products and safety,” said Carol Mehas,...

PHILADELPHIA—AKA University City recently launched a new “gardening program amongst the clouds.” Set atop the building’s exclusive Level 28 overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, this new amenity will be the city’s tallest communal herb garden, rising over 400 feet in the sky. Custom-made garden boxes have been installed and will be available for residents to help plant, maintain, and use for personal cooking or cocktails in their full kitchens—giving residents and guests yet another sense of home during their stay at AKA, the world’s most livable hotels. Herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary, thyme, and more will also be harvested and...

CHICAGO—As inflation, supply chain challenges, labor issues, and increased food costs bedevil operators, many are seeking ways to control expenses. Reducing back-of-the-house food waste is one of them. From using technology to track the amount of waste they produce to monitoring how much food they purchase to using up the ingredients stored in their pantries and walk-ins, restaurateurs are getting more creative about operating more efficiently. Swapping Supplies Chad Langston, District Manager for a Zaxby’s franchise in Clarkesville, Ga., says his group of 12 stores controls costs by communicating regularly and swapping supplies. Each store purchases what they need, and then trades and shares...

If you have an f&b operation in your hotel, even if it is just serving breakfast, you will benefit from a new guide from an organization called Beyond Plastics. The guide is titled, “Hold the Plastic, Please: A Restaurant’s Guide to Reducing Plastic.” The 47-page guide, which is free and available online for anyone to access, states that a shocking 44 percent of plastic litter in the ocean consists of takeout food and drink containers. (The second biggest source is fishing gear.) The Guide not only states the problem with plastics; it offers plastics reduction suggestions as well. The Guide begins...